Charity Classic 5K Set To Run Saturday

Published: Sunday, March 10, 2013 at 12:12 a.m.

Last Modified: Sunday, March 10, 2013 at 12:12 a.m.

LAKE WALES — Runners should get ready: The Florida's Natural Charity Classic 5K Nature Run/Walk is set for next weekend.

The first-ever event to raise funds for the Florida's Natural Growers Foundation will run at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday behind the Grove House on U.S. 27.

So far, 102 runners have signed up online — including 40 employees of Florida's Natural Growers. Amber Love Johnson, organizer for the 5K, said hopes to see a good turnout on the day of the race.

The race itself will be on unused "wild land" where the plant has made a marsh to filter water used to make juice, Johnson said. The area houses birds, fish, hogs and deer and has plenty of open space for a race, she said.

The course is a combination of off-road hills, wetlands and natural Florida terrain, she said.

Proceeds from the race are expected to add to the funds usually raised by the Florida's Natural Charity Classic on March 18-22, a tour stop on the Symetra Tour of the Ladies' Professional Golf Association.

That tournament raised $100,000 of the $160,000 donated to local charities last year, said Nikki Hayde, vice president of the Foundation and product manager of the company's marketing division.

The remaining $60,000 of last year's donations came from private and corporate donors to the event, she said.

The Foundation was formed in November 2008, Hayde said, and has given $500,000 to communities ranging from Lake County to Glades County — where Florida's Natural member growers are located.

She said the Foundation board members are volunteers, to make sure 100 percent of the funds raised go into the community.

Those interested in taking part in the 5K run should apply online at FloridasNaturalCharityClassic.com and click "Register for the 5-K." Registration forms are also available at the Grove House Visitor Center at 20160 U.S. 27 in Lake Wales.

The race starts at 8:30 a.m., with a Kids' Fun Run for ages 8 and younger at 9:30 a.m. Awards will be given at 10 a.m. Entry fees are $25 per adult and free for children 13 and younger.

Entry fees may be mailed to Florida's Natural Fun Run/Walk, P.O. Box 1111, Lake Wales, Florida 33859, dropped off at the Grove House or paid on the day of the race.

For more information, contact Amber Johnson at 863-676-1411, ext. 3543, or email amber.johnson@citrusworld.com.

<p>LAKE WALES — Runners should get ready: The Florida's Natural Charity Classic 5K Nature Run/Walk is set for next weekend.</p><p>The first-ever event to raise funds for the Florida's Natural Growers Foundation will run at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday behind the Grove House on U.S. 27.</p><p>So far, 102 runners have signed up online — including 40 employees of Florida's Natural Growers. Amber Love Johnson, organizer for the 5K, said hopes to see a good turnout on the day of the race.</p><p>The race itself will be on unused "wild land" where the plant has made a marsh to filter water used to make juice, Johnson said. The area houses birds, fish, hogs and deer and has plenty of open space for a race, she said.</p><p>The course is a combination of off-road hills, wetlands and natural Florida terrain, she said.</p><p>Proceeds from the race are expected to add to the funds usually raised by the Florida's Natural Charity Classic on March 18-22, a tour stop on the Symetra Tour of the Ladies' Professional Golf Association.</p><p>That tournament raised $100,000 of the $160,000 donated to local charities last year, said Nikki Hayde, vice president of the Foundation and product manager of the company's marketing division.</p><p>The remaining $60,000 of last year's donations came from private and corporate donors to the event, she said.</p><p>The Foundation was formed in November 2008, Hayde said, and has given $500,000 to communities ranging from Lake County to Glades County — where Florida's Natural member growers are located.</p><p>She said the Foundation board members are volunteers, to make sure 100 percent of the funds raised go into the community.</p><p>In 2012, 48 local organizations received help from the Foundation, Hayde said. Those located in Lake Wales — where the run will be held — included Citrus Center Boys & Girls Clubs, Our Children's Academy and Rehab, Historic Lake Wales Society, Lake Wales Kiwanis, Breakfast Rotary, Lake Wales Care Center, Lake Wales Literacy Council, Polk State College Foundation, Lake Wales Soccer Club, Lake Wales Charter Schools, Lake Wales High School Academic Foundations Inc., Lake Wales Family YMCA, Bok Tower Gardens and the United Way's "Let's Grow" initiative.</p><p>One United Way program gives a new book each month to children from age 2 to 5, so that by the time they start school, they will have received up to 36 books, she said.</p><p>"A lot of children, the first books they see are in kindergarten," Hayde said.</p><p>MCD of Central Florida, Lake Wales Medical Center, CenterState Bank and Progress Energy have already contributed to this event, Hayde said.</p><p>Those interested in taking part in the 5K run should apply online at FloridasNaturalCharityClassic.com and click "Register for the 5-K." Registration forms are also available at the Grove House Visitor Center at 20160 U.S. 27 in Lake Wales.</p><p>The race starts at 8:30 a.m., with a Kids' Fun Run for ages 8 and younger at 9:30 a.m. Awards will be given at 10 a.m. Entry fees are $25 per adult and free for children 13 and younger. </p><p>Entry fees may be mailed to Florida's Natural Fun Run/Walk, P.O. Box 1111, Lake Wales, Florida 33859, dropped off at the Grove House or paid on the day of the race.</p><p>For more information, contact Amber Johnson at 863-676-1411, ext. 3543, or email amber.johnson@citrusworld.com.</p>